[va-bird] Sharpy kill

Yesterday, 3/29 at about 1:15 pm, I heard a bird hit a side
window over our feeding area.   A male grackle was
on the ground and appeared to stop breathing in 15 seconds or so.  Then an
adult Sharpy came from on the
ground or 1-2 feet above it, and grabbed the grackle with
its talons, standing on it and periodically squeezing with sharp motions of
its feet and legs while the Sharpy's wings remined extended down and
forward.

The Sharpy then flew 6 inches off the ground with grackle in talons to a
fenced corner of the feeding area where it remained on the ground for the
next 3 hours, feeding and resting throughout that time but always alert.
Although checking every 5 minutes or so, I didn't see the Sharpy depart.

Two squirrels moved up into a holly when the Sharpy first
appeared, and watch the initial contact of predator/prey
with seeming interest.  After the Sharpy moved to the
corner of the feeding area, bird activity slowly resumed at
the feeders and was near normal most of the 3 hours
that the hawk was present.

Haven't seen the hawk this morning.  All that remains of the grackle is a
pile of feathers, two legs and the skull with braincase opened.

Joan Woodward
Fairfax City, VA 22032
grackling@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx



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